Validation and error assessment of the mobile tracer gas dispersion method for measurement of fugitive emissions from area sources.

•Controlled release tests were carried out to validate the tracer gas dispersion method.•Two teams performed measurements separately using two instruments.•Five calculation methods were used to determine target gas to tracer gas ratios.•An integrated cross plume concentration calculation method yielded lowest errors.•Measurement errors were between −18% and 15% when using the best method.